The Strategist Knows Everything

The festival continued when I returned to the capital of Velis.

The people of the king's capital greeted me with cheer when I reached the king's capital over a day or so.

"Count Clay is back!!

"The Dragon Killer Master has won again!!

"That's Velis Kiri the Wizard!!

Even though it's a bandit crusade (which is how it's told to the people), it's a way to cheer up as if you've won the war.

Master Kaguya is going out of his way to send Knox out in front of the people because he's going to exaggerate. Not at all.

"Dear Yukito, How about we respond to the people?

"What if Micah is the one who responds?

"I am the captain of the unit."

"Captain Mikana!! Turn around for me!!

"Captain Mikana! To my son's daughter-in-law!!

As I said, a yellow cheer flew into the room.

Mikana, who lined up with me and my horse, shyly leaned over and stopped talking.

Looking around while smiling bitterly at the rare sight.

The other captains are cheering, but they're all handling it without difficulty.

Seeing that, I thought I'd do something too. I'll raise my right hand for now.

Then I heard as much cheer as I had ever heard.

"Wow..."

"Hey, Yukito! Don't get too popular! Girl's gonna stop leaning on me, right?

"I didn't mean that, hey."

Answer Captain Ars, while I go ahead with my horse fast.

Anyway, let's just get into the castle. Master Kaguya will be waiting for you.

Eye contact told everyone to speed up, and we entered the castle early.

Going down the horse and into the castle, I took only the captains of Knox and headed for a look.

"Dear Yukito. Are you sure you're glad you left her?

"Are you dissatisfied with Ercola?

As he walked through the castle, Ercola asked in a low voice.

She means Eileen. I left Eileen in my own territory.

"I'm not dissatisfied, but I was wondering if this would be a problem if I found out."

"That's right, Yukito's brother. Even though he was manipulated, he's the one who took you to Albion, and the warlord who practically dropped the empire, right? If only I'd known you were hiding it."

"Right. If it does, it's a problem."

"If you find out, that's when. I can see that. Weak women want to help you."

As each of them gave their opinion, Micah kept silent without saying anything.

Seeing that, Ercola spoke to Mikana.

"What do you think of Mikana?

"I'm curious how Yukito intends to delude you."

"It's easy. She is Si Jian-kun. Except in times of war, he is a magic seeker. And I'm the subject of a thorough study. That's why she's in my territory. It's a bit past the point, but now the muscles go through."

"Just plausible."

"Reason is reason, though. If that's the case, she didn't run away from Albion, and it's no wonder she's in my territory."

"I see. That's Master Yukito. That's how you're gonna wind up in smoke, isn't it?

Second Cora looks at me with her eyes.

And as I flaunted my shoulder, Micah looked at me straight at me with her usual faceless expression.

"As I said when I rushed, I respect Yukito-sama's decision because I am Yukito-sama's deputy. But I was wondering if I should say a word to Master Kaguya if I would do that. Whatever the reason, you'll definitely be offended if you keep your mouth shut."

I keep my mouth shut and the other four are very impressed.

"That's Mikana. An ideal deputy."

"Indeed, Master Kaguya would be angry if Yukito's brother kept his mouth shut."

"Besides, women are sharp. Maybe they'll notice you hiding it, huh?

Erica, Roy and Captain Ars said so, followed by two coras opening their mouths.

"Is Mikana really okay with that?

"Because it is always sweet to the woman Yukito was an enemy."

"Yeah… that's very convincing."

"Wouldn't you be convinced!?

I sighed as I reacted to Micah and Nikola's words.

Damn, not yet.

"Master Kaguya won't be angry to keep quiet. At least he'll never suspect me by engaging Eileen."

"What do you mean?

"It means the way it is. Well, if everyone's worried, I'll tell them right away."

Answering two Cora's question, I turned forward.

Because the door between the eyes was opened and you could see Kaguya sitting on the throne behind you.

■ ■ ■

"That was a disaster. Count Clay. But it was a brilliant fight, wasn't it? Praise and send."

"No, until he did what he deserved as an aristocrat entrusted with territory near the border."

"That's humble. If the Imperial Army attacked in thousands of units on an approximate territory, every lord should flee immediately. That's my mentor."

"Thank you."

While formal greetings are exchanged, Knox's captains are kneeling with me in the middle of nowhere.

On the left and right there is a line of civilians, martial officers, and beside Caguya is also the figure of Baid, the prime minister.

"But how has the Imperial Army attacked us? Clay, are you grabbing something?

"No, it's just me, or you must have come to pick up a human neck in the heart of the country. At the end of the war, more than Knox's captains came after my neck."

"Hey, what!?

Surprising bade. Kaguya is flat.

I guess he thought it wouldn't be weird for him to come more than hold a festival.

But not the others. He has an anxious look at my words. Everyone doesn't want a war with the Empire.

"Yukito. Do you think the Empire will be at war with us?

"... I thought it would be Albion if we were going for it. This time it will be towing. I was wondering if you wanted to stop it because His Majesty is showing Albion how to walk over."

"Hmm! Shouldn't we still destroy alliances with Albion or something? Such a thing is harmless and unprofitable!

"That's right! Your Majesty!"

Around the corner is noisy.

There are more anti-albions than you think. Naturally. They are the chiefs in the war ahead. My trust as the keeper of order is falling to the ground.

"Hmm, I get everyone's point. So Yukito. If you did, how would you beat my country if you were the commander of the empire?

"Avoid fighting in the front. Because His Majesty is here. First we cut off Albion and Velis, then we take away Albion's territory and his knowledge of witchcraft. After that, I thought I would crush the Empire and destroy each of the hard-to-collaborate republics and Velis on both ends."

"I'm glad you were in my country. There's nothing you can do with that hand."

Saying so, Kaguya laughs.

But those around me don't laugh. For whoever has now raised his voice has simultaneously emerged the possibility of traitors.

"Velis follows Albion for Velis. Contain the Empire and restore national power. Now drink up your emotions."

"Ha, Ha!

"Yes!"

With the high-ranking officials on my ass, I offered to pay Master Kaguya to give me another news.

"Your Majesty. I have important news. Please pay for it."

"Pay people? Clay, this me too?

"Yes, and His Excellency the Chancellor."

Bade says it's unpleasant to see.

Other high-ranking officials are similar.

Seeing how it was, Kaguya looked at me sighing.

"You can talk here. If the information leaks, we will only suspect those present here. That's fine."

"…… then. Eileen Masefield, four wise men of Albion, is in charge."

That was enough speech to freeze the place. However, Kaguya's complexion remains the same this time.

A little, to the extent of my interest, I float a lot on this occasion where there are a lot of people who are stunned.

"Clay...... you know what I'm talking about?

"I understand very well."

"Irene Maysfield is a heavy town in Albion! Even though he was manipulated, he's the one who took you to Albion and hunted down Velis!? Running off Albion, Albion is searching for him with all his might. You don't know when you'll be manipulated to become an enemy again!?

"It's possible."

When I give it back pale, Bade floats his blues and stares at me.

I flushed it out flat. I don't care about Bade.

"Exile him now from Velis! It's possible the Empire attacked us and even targeted Eileen!

"Hmm...... Baid. Did you know about Eileen?

"No, I didn't get that information"

"Then there's no chance of that. Velis was stranded in the country. It didn't even get caught up in the information network. Irene has nothing to do with the Empire's coming. And sometimes Irene turns to the enemy. The roots of all evil have already been rejected."

The words were more shocking than mine.

That I was turned down.

"What do you mean?

"Alfred was executed. That's what an envoy from Albion told me the other day. Officially, he said he was sick or dead."

"Is true!?

"You Albion! I didn't expect you to execute us in silence! Who gives a shit about not having to take over the country!

There's noise around that information again.

I see. Was Zach here for that? If Albion said he executed him, I guess he really executed him. Exactly. There's no benefit to lying to Albion today.

"Alfred is an Albion person. I have no complaints about Albion executing him. However, there is also the possibility that it is false. There is, of course, the possibility that a new Stratos will emerge. If you think about it, leaving Eileen in the country isn't a bad option, is it?

"That is…… I hope Your Majesty wishes………………………"

"Yukito. What are you going to tell Albion?

"Si Xian, you are not a general. Normally, I am a magic researcher. Speaking of coming to me for magical research, Albion will also have to shut up. As Eileen, we would like to distance ourselves from Albion, and we would like you to know that we will remain in our own territory for a while."

"Fine. You don't have any objections, do you?

Everyone shuts their mouth with Kaguya's explanation.

As long as I don't say how wrong I am, because Master Kaguya's decision is absolute in this country.

Master Kaguya announces the dissolution. But you've looked me straight in the eye. When I nodded quietly, I left the place for a moment.

■ ■ ■

"Are you going out of your way to say that on that occasion?

That's what they said when they visited Kaguya's office after seeing her.

"Because the captains say it's not a good idea to keep quiet."

"May I say this on this occasion?

"If you find out later, you'll be followed by the heavy ministers. If Kaguya knew, he might have firepowder for Kaguya, so I told him on the spot."

"Well, I let you use that statement, too. Honestly, I wasn't sure how to cut it out. What about Alfred?"

Saying so, Master Kaguya deposits his back on the back of the chair.

It's always a rare behavior for a spine stretched and behaving like a kaguya.

"You thought of Albion, too. You could have given it to Velis and pulled something out."

"It won't be used as a rushing ingredient. That's how big Alfred was for Albion."

"Even at the root of all evil, is the Prince the Prince?"

"That's what I mean."

Lady Kaguya slowly exhaled as she stared out the window for a moment.

It's like you're calming yourself down.

When I was up to something, Master Kaguya turned to me.

"… Yukito. Do you regret that you couldn't save Eileen?

"... you're lying when it comes to no regrets. If I'd really taken Klarus then... she wouldn't have hunted down her own country"

"But I was able to protect Klarus because of that decision. The worst development of Sofia being manipulated was avoided. I was... worried that I was trying to save everything. I don't think his hands are as big as you think they are.

To Master Kaguya's words, I push silence.

Indeed, as Kaguya said, I have regretted it many times before. I've imagined over and over again that I could have saved everything.

Oh, there you go. Here's the deal. I've spent a lot of time thinking about it.

"During the civil unrest in Velis, you saved me with your life at stake. So I didn't have to be like Eileen. But if it weren't for me, it would have been for me. With that in mind, I feel like I'm talking about Eileen. But... I don't think I could have saved Eileen in that situation. He is a wizard and a rare governor, but he has limits. If you try to save everything, there's a chance you won't be able to save anything."

"... right. But...... I don't want to give up trying to save everything. It's all about ideals. There will be no more war, and no more discrimination. Even inequality will be possible, and irrationality will not disappear. But if you fail to make an effort to lose it, it will call for more disaster. That's why I want to do what I can. Thank you for your words, I'll carve them in my chest, but I'll do my best as I am now."

Saying so, Master Kaguya shook his head beside him as if he had given up, and laughed small.

I smile unexpectedly at that smile.

"You're a stubborn man."

"You're no match for me."

"No, I'd lose if I did. That's the only thing I'm losing."

"Oh? Did you ever beat me in military chess?

"Hmm, that's a play. I can only be serious in a real fight."

"It is indeed a game, but even a game is a battle. That's not what I'm winning, is it?

"If you're going to say that much, I'll fight for you in a while. Prepare the board!

"You don't know if you're crying, do you?

"If you want to make me cry, make me cry!

After that, Kaguya, who suffered five consecutive defeats, was half crying, and the battle ended that day.